State Government playing games with Globe Preschool

Wednesday 28 November 2018

Inner West Council is calling out the State Government for trying to hospital pass blame for the closure of the award winning Globe Preschool. The Department of Education has issued an unworkable Expression of Interest to have a third party build new classrooms at Globe Wilkins Primary School.

Inner West Council has instead called on the State Government to match a commitment from the NSW opposition to build new premises for the preschool.

State Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen MP and the Shadow Education Minister Jihad Dib MP, announced yesterday that if elected to government Labor would fully fund the construction of new premises for Globe Preschool within the Wilkins Public School site.

Mayor Darcy Byrne said that the State Government had decided to evict the Globe Wilkins Preschool, despite passionate community support.

“The Department of Education have issued an expression of interest for a third party to build and operate a preschool on the school grounds,” he said.

“It’s a pretty transparent political ploy to absolve the Department of responsibility for shutting down this award winning preschool.

“Aside from the fact that it would still mean that Globe Wilkins Preschool has to close for at least two years during construction, it is not the Council’s responsibility to build new classrooms for the Department of Education.

“The EOI has no indication of a long-term lease, meaning the buildings could be taken back by the Department at any time.

“They’re not holding a site inspection until 3 December, which gives just 10 days to prepare a complex application to build and operate a childcare centre, before the EOI closes on the 13th.

“It’s clear this isn’t a serious attempt to find a solution.

“The State Government has a $6 billion education fund, but they are refusing to invest a single dollar of that in upgrading schools in the inner west municipality.

“Council will submit an EOI to provide the operation of the preschool, but the State Government can’t dodge responsibility for trying to shut this service down.”

Council has welcomed the announcement by the NSW Opposition that if elected to Government they would fund the construction of new premises for Globe Preschool within the Wilkins Public School site.

“This is a real solution that would save the award winning preschool, while addressing the school community's need for additional classroom space,” said Cr Byrne.

For further information, please contact Kate Walsh on 9392 5685 or kate.walsh@innerwest.nsw.gov.au